ABSTRACT
In an attempt to assess the level of HIV-2 reactive serology in Kenya; we screened a total of 1;370 serum samples comprising of 782 suspected AIDS and ARC patients collected over a period of 3 months within Nairobi and negative for HIV-1 ELISA;77 HIV-1 ELISA positive but western blot indeterminates collected over a one year period within the same locality; and 512 HIV-1 ELISA negative blood donor samples were collected over a one week period within the same area. Sixteen of these samples were initially reactive for HIV-2 but on confirmation by a specific HIV-2 western blot; fourteen showed no reaction at all. Two however had some bands which were unspecific for HIV-2. We concluded that presently there exists no evidence of HIV-2 reactive serology in Nairobi
Subject(s)
HIV SeroprevalenceABSTRACT
The Virus Research Centre is a WHO designated reference centre for AIDS. It is also a primary HIV testing centre for 37 medical and associated institutions in and around Nairobi. Between January 1989 and December 1990; 12;126 serum samples were referred to the centre for testing. The samples were controlled for sex; age and clinical signs using a standard form sent to all requesting instituions. The total prevalence in 1989 was 23.9 but rose to 30.8 in 1990. The prevalence rate in females was significantly higher than in males Pis equal to 0.001; (27.5 versus 22.07 in 1989 and 37.9 versus 29.1 in 1990). There were two peaks in the age group versus total number infected; the below 5's and the 26-30 year age group. Significant variations in infection were observed between the sexes at the 16-30 years age group. Clinically; among the HIV seropositive; weight loss was the most common reported sign (32.3) followed by diarrhoea (26.6). However; herpes zooster remained the most sensitive (76.8)